Rodney Duane Simmons "Doc" died October 5, 2009 at the Sturgis Regional Hospice Suite.

Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 13, 2009 with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Inurnment with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor guard follows at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial has been established.

Doc was born October 26, 1953 at Rapid City, SD, to Harold and Audrey (Rounds) Simmons. Attended school in New Underwood and graduated from a private Christian school in Huron. He joined the US Army and retired from Army Air National Guard. He graduated from Physicians Assistant school in Wichita, Kansas. He worked as a PA in Custer, Hills City, Faith, and Rapid Care in Rapid City. He became a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying.

In 2002 he started working for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad as a conductor. He later became an engineer and worked out of Gillette, WY.

Survivors include his wife Cathy Simmons, Sturgis; son, Cody ( Delise) Simmons, Hot Springs, SD; two daughters, Camille Simmons, Bozeman, Montana, Amy (Justin) Day, Faith, SD; his mother Audrey Simmons, Rapid City; 2 brothers, Delvin Simmons, Pierre, SD, Bradley Simmons, Burleson, TX; one sister, Callie Puckett, Piedmont, SD; one step daughter, Sarah Bosworth, Colorado Springs, CO; also 8 grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; and a special uncle, Harley Rounds, Union Center.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Simmons, and his grandparents.